“We are aware of the fondness with which the MR2 is held in the UK and Europe, and are developing a small hybrid sports car.

“We have set a tough price point (expected to be around AUD $43,000), as it will be easier to sell if it is affordable. It has to be fun to drive, too, which means the hybrid set-up must be different to the Prius’s, with greater responsiveness.”The previous generation MR2 (shown below) disappeared from Australian showrooms in 2005 and ceased production in 2007.

While the last generation Roadster did win some hearts, many regard the SW20 (pictured below) as the best of the bunch.

The SW20, in its hottest form, featured the same 3S-GTE 2.0 litre four cylinder turbo engine as found in the Celica GT4 of the time and responded very well to tuning.

The MR2 that followed relied on the same 1.8 litre naturally aspirated four cylinder engine that appeared in same generation Corolla. This change, plus the move to a roadster format, pushed many enthusiasts away.

If Toyota can get the formula right, a hybrid MR2 could work a treat. With a 0-100km/h time in the sub seven-second bracket, 4.7 l/100km fuel economy and less than 100g/km of *** it all sounds like a good combo to us.

With Toyota (and Subaru) said to be working away on the 086A RWD Coupe, Toyota showrooms could get a lot busier in coming years.

Sharp little rendering there! So I'm guessing the Toyoburu is a "Celica"? I can see Toyota not wanting to have 2 cars in the same target, so the hybrid idea works. And 4.7L/100k is what, ~55 mpg's? And under 7 seconds to 60?
___________________Current:1971 MGB 4-speed2003 Mitsubishi Lancer O-Z 5-speed2014 Subaru Forester XT

As far as looks, get rid of the useless vents below the headlights and make the front less cute. Otherwise I like it. The first thing they need to do is keep it rear-engine, RWD. Second, make a hybrid version, but offer a four-cylinder and turbo-four. If it's hybrid only, they won't win many, if any, enthusiasts back. We prefer performance over fuel economy.
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NO REAL MANUAL BOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!
.**************************************Go Placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. Be on good term with all persons.Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.

If it isn't mid-engined and I can't get it with a stickshift, it isn't an MR2.

Period.

+1. I saw the TSX Wagon might be coming here, and then the MR2 and I was going to say "wow, what a great day for car news!" Then I see the face on this, and reading from you guys it's not a proper manual, is part hybrid, and likely not even manual-- damn, there goes that. Well, at least there's still Motor Trends first test of the new GTI to look at!

edit: What's wrong with the Mk3 MR2 (Spyder)? It was much lighter (lighter then even the MK1) and wasn't exactly slow unless you get the SMT, and who wanted that? 0-60 in around 6.7 seconds for a true manual-- for 1999 that wasn't bad. The SMT I usually see about 8-seconds to 60. It was a real sports car-- again, what's wrong with that?
----------When life throws you a curve, downshift and take it vigorously.

If it isn't mid-engined and I can't get it with a stickshift, it isn't an MR2.

Period.

Harvey:+1. I saw the TSX Wagon might be coming here, and then the MR2 and I was going to say "wow, what a great day for car news!" Then I see the face on this, and reading from you guys it's not a proper manual, is part hybrid, and likely not even manual-- damn, there goes that. Well, at least there's still Motor Trends first test of the new GTI to look at!

edit: What's wrong with the Mk3 MR2 (Spyder)? It was much lighter (lighter then even the MK1) and wasn't exactly slow unless you get the SMT, and who wanted that? 0-60 in around 6.7 seconds for a true manual-- for 1999 that wasn't bad. The SMT I usually see about 8-seconds to 60. It was a real sports car-- again, what's wrong with that?

The MKIII never had the cred and power of the MKII, nor the looks of the MKI & MKII. I thought it became too cutesy and became even less practical. At least the MKII had a pretty decent trunk for being a small car.